There are roughly 9000 studies. I've read the contents and summaries of about 60. The AHA web site also links some of their studies and recommendations to take it.

So far I havent seen *any* that didnt show a positive effect.

Lots of good individual stories as well. For what those are worth.

There are also a lot of studies and medical opinions with very strong negative feelings about low total carb/high fat diets, but as is the norm theres enough contrary data to let you pick and choose your proof sources.

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Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.

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FWIW, I have nothing vested in being right or wrong. I would enjoy being proven wrong since it would mean learning something new.

In any case, here's an abstract to the Danish fish oil study that concludes "... the team observed no significant effects of fish oil on LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or the concentration of small dense LDL particles, linked to symptoms of heart disease."

Man, this is confusing. Fish oil, Wab diet, Atkins diet,
red rice yeast? What's a fellow to think? My grand parents had bacon and eggs every day, cooked in lard
and lived into their late 80s. What to cut out?
Frappacinos? Slimfast? Burgers? Chips? Dip?
T bones? Booze? I'm tempted to just ignore the whole thing. After all, my ancestors knew nothing about this
and thus never worried about it.

Wab - that danish study was specifically designed to see if fish oil would help diabetics. It was limited to 42 people over a 4 week period, tested vs a control of corn oil. It did show some improvements in triglycerides but they didnt note any improvements in LDL/HDL ratios. In my opinion (I'm not a doctor and I dont play one on tv either), a study of 42 people that have a pre-existing health problem for a month isnt very comprehensive.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine issued the following statement: ( http://www.atkinsdietalert.org/ )
"PCRM has been speaking out about the dangers of high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets since its founding in 1985. Scientific studies show that low-carbohydrate diets raise cholesterol levels in considerable number of individuals, sometimes to a dramatic degree. These diets also typically accelerate calcium losses and have led major health organizations to raise important questions about their possible contribution to heart problems, kidney abnormalities, osteoporosis, and other health problems.

Given the seriousness of these health risks, and the strength of the scientific evidence currently available, PCRM hopes this Web site will encourage people to be wary of high-protein diets and to choose healthier options. PCRM is also concerned about possible legal liability for doctors who prescribe these diets."

Bottom line is most doctors agree that for obese people, a short term burst of this kind of diet is not a bad idea. But I cant find many (who arent making money off of it) who recommend it for long term use.

As with anything health related: see your doctor first.

__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.

My Dad (87) says "stay away from doctors!". I think this is wise counsel. BTW. I've always felt that life span
was mostly a crap shoot. At age 60, I've lost
relatives, business associates, fishing buddies,
hunting buddies, girl friends, etc, ranging from their 20s
to 50s. Anyway, all younger than I am now. Certainly
makes a thinking person contemplate their mortality.

I tend to agree. * I find that many doctors shoot from the hip, but try to pass off what they're doing as science. * Auto mechanics are the same way. *My car always has something new wrong with it when it gets back from the mechanic *

Luckily, we ER's have lots of time on our hands. * So, my advice would be to be wary of any advice, look at the data yourself, make your own judgement, and then experiment on yourself to see what works best for you.

I'd seriously love to see the before and after lipid profile of anybody who wants to try the Costco fish oil capsule experiment. * *And I'll try to post the results of my experiments as well.

My Grandfather also said stay away from Doctors or to make a direct quote 'I don't need any Doctor to tell me I'm 89". He passed away at 90. His normal Breakfast was oatmeal, bacon and toast dipped in the bacon grease. Other meals were the meat and potatoes type. His secret was hard work (farmer until 86) and he did not worry.

Check the label and make sure that the fish oil tablets have been processed to rid them of mercury, ok? Most are, some aren't.

Fish oil (and fiber, and vegetables with flavanoids and antioxidants) is (are) good for other things besides one's heart. Fish oil has been successful in treating depression and reducing cancer risk. Fiber and all the things one can get from vegetables but not vitaminn pills, lower risk of colon cancer, breast cancer, and I don't remember what else. You guys might end up with great hearts but all-around health is important!!

What was it that George Burns said? Something like "I had doctors all my life tell me to quit drinking, smoking and chasing women if I wanted to live longer...they're all dead now"...

I actually heard a few not so great things about costco's fish pills, I get 'em from Sam's. I suspect whatever the scuttlebutt was that I heard, it may have been localized. Costco's stuff tends to be first rate. Nothing really awful, just that they werent as effective in some trials as other products. I do know that they're very sensitive to light, heat and storage time.

I heard Carlsons was one of the finer products though, Charlie.

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Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.

I wouldn't skimp on the fish oil capsules. You should look for brands that are mollecularly distilled to make sure they are free of the toxic chemicals that are dumped in the oceans. Two brands I would recommend are Health From The Sun and Nordic Naturals.

Before going on the Wabmester diet, My LDL was at
301. Now I am down to 245! Still high but a major
improvement, to say the least. I was shocked,
especially since I cheated a bit. I have been on the diet
close to 2 months. I also exercised a little more and ate
more oat bran. That's it. I figure with this diet,
taking a baby aspirin daily, plus ginkgo biloba, and with
all the booze I consume, my arteries must be flowing like
Niagara Falls

Congrats, JG. Not bad for a quick and easy diet, eh? I'm still trying to run several days/week in the most recent phase of my experiment. I forgot how much I hated running. Still waiting for the endorphin rush to kick in

Total chol: 157
Trig's: 270 (low for my family, my dad does and grandpa did run in the 4-500's)
HDL: 91
LDL:69

Not too shabby. I might live.

__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.

I'm not on the wab diet either. We eat a lot of grains, fruits and vegetables, especially this time of year when I cant turn a corner without slamming into a farmers market full of local goodies. I took this test after polishing off a substantial portion of a large pizza with everything on it the night before.

Now just to show what genetics does for you, my wife eats about the same although she's more likely to turn to oatmeal than eggs in the morning and I'm the other way around, and I have some 'midnight snacks' after feeding the baby that she doesnt partake of. She treadmills a lot and my exercise is catch as catch can at best.

Her #s:

Chol: 289
Tri: 57
HDL: 97
LDL: 187

Not very good. And she cant take any statins unless she stops breast feeding.

__________________
Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful. Just another form of "buy low, sell high" for those who have trouble with things. This rule is not universal. Do not buy a 1973 Pinto because everyone else is afraid of it.

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